Fifteen original short stories by various authors relate the exploits of teenage warriors who defeat their enemies with cunning and skill as they strive to fulfill their destinies.

The gift of Rain Mountain / Bruce Holland Rogers -- The magestone / S. M. and Jan Stirling -- Eli and the dybbuk / Janis Ian -- Heartless / Holly Black -- Lioness / Pamela F. Service --Thunderbolt / Ester Friesner -- Devil wind / India Edghill -- The boy who cried "dragon!" / Mike Resnick -- Student of ostriches / Tamora Pierce -- Serpent's rock / Laura Anne Gilman -- Hidden warrors / Margaret Mahy -- Emerging legacy / Doranna Durgin -- An axe for men / Rosemary Edghill -- Acts of faith / Lesley McBain -- Swords that talk / Brent Hartinger.